Monday, September 29, 2008

This is the final painting in the 5x5 series on aquaboard. I am really enjoying this painting surface and looking forward to being able to frame these small watercolors without glass. Once the paintings are complete, I seal the surface with a clayboard fixative or varnish. The watercolor then is protected from UV light and able to be framed without using glass.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

I have started a new series of watercolor paintings on aquaboard. Aquaboard is a clay coated hardboard panel that is comparable to working on hot press watercolor paper. Working on clayboard is presenting new challenges in painting. The clay surface is surprisingly absorbent, but also allows the paint to be lifted off almost to white. Because of the absorbent properties of the surface, I am also modifying the wet-into-wet underpainting I usually do with watercolor on paper. I love texture in painting and the koalin clay surface has a wonderful subtle texture. I am enjoying the challenge and will have more paintings to follow.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I have begun a series of smaller pastel paintings. I discovered a patch of purple coneflowers along the road near a strip mall in Fredericksburg. The bees were busy harvesting seemingly unaware of the traffic nearby. I love finding these small treasures in unsuspecting places. I am painting this series with soft pastel on clayboard sizes 5x7 and 5x5.